EP1905881A2 - Washing machine - Google Patents
Washing machine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1905881A2 EP1905881A2 EP07019064A EP07019064A EP1905881A2 EP 1905881 A2 EP1905881 A2 EP 1905881A2 EP 07019064 A EP07019064 A EP 07019064A EP 07019064 A EP07019064 A EP 07019064A EP 1905881 A2 EP1905881 A2 EP 1905881A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- detergent box
- washing machine
- dispenser
- gear
- detergent
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00
- D06F39/02—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B88/00—Drawers for tables, cabinets or like furniture; Guides for drawers
- A47B88/40—Sliding drawers; Slides or guides therefor
- A47B88/453—Actuated drawers
- A47B88/46—Actuated drawers operated by mechanically-stored energy, e.g. by springs
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B88/00—Drawers for tables, cabinets or like furniture; Guides for drawers
- A47B88/40—Sliding drawers; Slides or guides therefor
- A47B88/473—Braking devices, e.g. linear or rotational dampers or friction brakes; Buffers; End stops
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B88/00—Drawers for tables, cabinets or like furniture; Guides for drawers
- A47B88/50—Safety devices or the like for drawers
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
- D06F37/42—Safety arrangements, e.g. for stopping rotation of the receptacle upon opening of the casing door
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00
- D06F39/12—Casings; Tubs
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a detergent box of a washing machine.
- a washing machine refers to an apparatus for washing clothes and sheets (hereinafter, referred to as "laundry") via a wash, rinse, and dehydration process to remove dirt from the laundry using water, detergent, and a mechanical action.
- the washing machine typically includes a tub and drum that is rotatably provided therein and that holds wash water and laundry.
- a driving motor is provided at one side of the tub and drum. The washing machine activates a wash operation by power of the driving motor, and performs a laundry washing operation.
- the washing machine further includes a water supplying unit and a water discharging unit.
- a detergent supplying unit is often provided in the water supply system so that incoming water washes detergent in the unit into the washing bath.
- the detergent supplying unit may include a dispenser provided on the water supply unit; and a detergent box provided within the dispenser.
- the detergent box may be designed to be withdrawn from the dispenser, and be completely disengaged outside the washing machine.
- the related art washing machine described above has a drawback in that it may be inconvenient and complicated to use.
- the user must withdraw the detergent box from the dispenser, put detergent into the detergent box, and then insert the detergent box back into the dispenser.
- the detergent box may be incompletely inserted into or withdrawn from the dispenser due to a malfunction occurring when a user directly withdraws or inserts the detergent box.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a drum type washing machine
- FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a detergent supplying unit of the washing machine shown in FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating the detergent box and dispenser housing shown in FIG. 2;
- FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating the detergent box shown in FIG. 3;
- FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view illustrating the detergent box shown in FIG. 3;
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an automatic withdrawing unit of the detergent supplying unit shown in FIG. 3;
- FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the automatic withdrawing unit shown in FIG. 6;
- FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating an operation state of a locking unit of the detergent supplying unit shown in FIG. 3;
- FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating another embodiment of a detergent box and a dispenser housing.
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an automatic withdrawing unit of the detergent supplying unit shown in FIG. 9.
- the drum type washing machine 1 includes a cabinet 1 having a left surface, a right surface, and a rear surface.
- a tub 4 is mounted inside the cabinet 2 by one or more springs 3 and a damper (not shown).
- a drum 5 is rotatably provided inside the tub 4.
- the drum holds laundry and has a plurality of water holes 5A for allowing passage of the wash water into and out of the tub.
- a lifter 6 is provided inside the drum 5 to draw up the wash water and drop the drawn-up wash water at a predetermined height within the drum 5.
- a driving unit 7 is provided behind the tub 4 to apply a rotary force to the drum 5.
- a cabinet cover 8 is provided in front of the cabinet 2, and has a laundry opening 8A at its center.
- a top plate 9 and a base 10 are provided on an upper surface and a lower surface of the cabinet 2, respectively.
- a door 11 is rotatably mounted on the cabinet cover 8, and opens and closes the laundry opening 8A.
- a control panel 12 is provided at an upper side of the cabinet cover 8, and displays and controls operation of the drum type washing machine 1.
- a water discharging unit (not shown) is provided between the base 10 and the tub 4, and discharges wash water from the tub 4.
- a water supplying unit 13 includes a water supply hose 13A, a water supply valve 13B, and a water supply bellows 13C. The water supplying unit 13 is provided between the top plate 9 and the tub 4, and supplies water into the tub 4.
- a detergent supplying unit 14 is provided on a water supply path of the water supplying unit 13, and supplies detergent to the tub 4 together with water.
- the detergent supplying unit 14 connects between the water supply hose 13A and the water supply bellows 13C.
- the detergent supplying unit 14 is mounted on the cabinet 2 and the cabinet cover 8 such that the detergent box 30 is withdrawn and inserted through a doorway hole part 12A provided at one side of the control panel 12.
- the detergent supplying unit 14 includes a dispenser 20 connecting with the water supply hose 13A and the water supply bellows 13C.
- a detergent box 30 inserted into the dispenser 20 and can be withdrawn frontward via the opening 20A of the dispenser 20 and the doorway hole part 12A.
- Flange parts 37 are provided at both sides of the detergent box, and extend along a movement direction.
- a locking unit 40 acts to lock or unlock the detergent box 30 when it is inserted into the dispenser 20.
- An automatic withdrawing unit 50 moves the detergent box 30 to the front within the dispenser 20 when the locking unit 40 unlocks the detergent box 30.
- the dispenser 20 includes a dispenser housing 21 provided to communicate with the doorway hole part 12A of the control panel 12.
- the dispenser 20 is open at a front side and an upper side.
- a dispenser cover 22 is mounted at the opened upper side, and has water supply holes 24B for supplying water into the detergent box 30.
- the dispenser housing 21 has a water discharge port 23 provided at a rear thereof which is connected with the water supply bellows 13C such that water and detergent falling from the detergent box 30 are supplied to the tub 4 through the water supply bellows 13C.
- the dispenser housing 21 has step parts 21A provided at both upper sides thereof.
- the flange parts 37 of the detergent box 30 are mounted on and slide along the step parts 21A.
- the step parts 21A, together with the dispenser cover 22 provide slots in which the flange parts 37 move.
- the dispenser cover 22 includes a bottom panel 24 mounted at the opened upper side of the dispenser housing 21 and a top panel 25 mounted on the bottom panel 24, and forming a flow path together with the bottom panel 24.
- the bottom panel 24 has a plurality of hose connecting parts 24A provided in rear thereof and connecting with the one or more water supply hoses 13A.
- the bottom panel 24 has a plurality of water supply holes 24B supplying water and provided in positions corresponding to detergent retaining parts of the detergent box 30.
- a flow path 24C is formed between the top panel 25 and the bottom panel 24, and the flow paths guide water from the hose connecting parts 24A to the water supply holes 24B.
- the detergent box 30 includes a detergent box body 31 inserted into a space between the dispenser housing 21 and the dispenser cover 22 such that it can be withdrawn frontward.
- the detergent box includes a plurality of detergent retaining parts 31A, 31B, 31C, and 31D for retaining detergent.
- a front panel 32 is provided in front of the detergent box body 31.
- a detergent box cap 33 is mounted on the detergent box body 31.
- the detergent box body 31 is of a box shape and is opened at an upper side and a rear side thereof.
- the flange parts 37 are movably mounted on the stepped parts 21A of the dispenser housing.
- the plurality of detergent retaining parts 31A, 31B, 31C, and 31D include first and second powder detergent retaining parts 31A and 31B, each provided so that they extend along the box on left right sides of the detergent box body 31. These retaining parts are used to hold powder detergent used for washing and pre-washing.
- a bleach retaining part 31C and a softener retaining part 31D are provided at inner rear sides of the first and second powder detergent retaining parts 31A and 31B. Typically, bottom surfaces of these retaining parts are spaced above the bottom surface of the detergent box so that they hold less volume.
- the first and second powder detergent retaining parts 31A and 31B are opened at upper sides to allow for the input of powder detergent and water. They are opened at rear sides to discharge the powder detergent and water to the dispenser housing 21.
- the bleach retaining part 31C and the softener retaining part 31D are of box shapes that are also opened at upper sides to allow for the input of bleach and softener.
- the bleach retaining part 31C and the softener retaining part 31D have siphon pipes 34 that protrude up from their bottoms to communicate with spaces below the bleach retaining part 31C and the softener retaining part 31D.
- the front panel 32 is provided in front of the doorway hole part 12A in the same structure as the control panel 12, and forms a front surface of the drum type washing machine 1 together with the control panel 12 and the cabinet cover 8.
- the detergent box cap 33 is mounted on the upper side of the detergent box body 31 to cover upper sides of the bleach retaining part 31C and the softener retaining part 31D.
- the detergent box cap 33 has input holes 33A for inputting the bleach and the softener, each provided correspondingly to the bleach retaining part 31C and the softener retaining part 31D.
- a siphon cap 35 capping the siphon pipe 34 protrudes downward from a bottom of the detergent box cap 33 such that the input bleach and softener are discharged from the bleach retaining part 31C and the softener retaining part 31D due to a siphon phenomenon.
- the dispenser 20 includes a catch jaw 26 protruding inward from a front and lower surface of the bottom panel 24.
- the detergent box 30 includes a height control protrusion 36 protruding from an upper surface of the detergent box cap 33 to be caught by the catch jaw 26 when the detergent box 30 is withdrawn.
- the height control protrusion 36 can be controlled in height to avoid interference from the catch jaw 26.
- a withdrawal distance of the detergent box 30 is set by the catch jaw 26 and the height control protrusion 36. If the height control protrusion 36 is lowered, it can avoid being caught by the catch jaw 26 and thus, the detergent box 30 can be completely disengaged from the dispenser 20.
- the locking unit 40 is provided at the dispenser 20 and the detergent box 30 such that it locks the detergent box 30 when the detergent box 30 is inserted into the dispenser 20, and unlocks the detergent box 30 when the detergent box 30 moves into the dispenser 20 by a predetermined distance.
- the locking unit 40 includes a locking protrusion part 41 that is rotatably mounted at one side of a bottom surface of the dispenser housing 21.
- a locking groove part 42 is provided on the facing lower surface of the detergent box body 31 such that the locking protrusion part 41 is caught and fixed when the detergent box is being inserted, and is released when the detergent box is again moved in an insertion direction.
- the locking protrusion part 41 is provided on the bottom surface of the dispenser housing 21 such that it can be rotated.
- the locking protrusion part 41 has a locking protrusion 43 that protrudes upward and that is inserted into and removed from the locking groove part 42.
- the locking groove part 42 is integrally provided on the lower surface of the detergent box body 31. Thus, the locking groove part 42 moves in the front-rear direction together with the detergent box body 31 when the detergent box 30 is withdrawn or inserted.
- the locking groove part 42 is of a structure in which the locking protrusion 43 is caught when the detergent box 30 moves rearward and is being inserted into the washing machine.
- the locking protrusion 43 is released from a catch state in the locking groove part 42 when the detergent box 30 is again pressed slightly rearward, thereby allowing the detergent box to be pulled out.
- FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate how the locking protrusion 43 and the locking groove part 42 interact to control the movement of the detergent box. Note, for ease of illustration, the locking protrusion 43 is illustrated at various positions within the locking groove part. In actuality, the locking protrusion is fixed and the locking groove part, which is part of the detergent box, moves with respect to the locking protrusion.
- FIG. 8A shows a state, where the detergent box is fully inserted into the washing machine.
- the locking protrusion is caught in a depression in the locking groove part.
- the detergent box is biased towards the opened position.
- the locking protrusion being caught in the depression of the locking groove part is what holds the detergent box in the washing machine.
- FIG. 8B shows the protrusion from the depression, and the detergent box can be moved frontward to allow detergent, bleach and softener to be inserted into the detergent box.
- FIG. 8C shows the progress of the locking groove part relative to the protrusion as the detergent box is pushed all the way into the machine.
- the biasing mechanism causes the detergent box to move slightly out, which results in the protrusion being caught once again in the depression, as shown in FIG. 8D.
- a mounting part 27 stepwise protrudes upward from a front and lower part of the dispenser housing 21 such that the detergent box body 31 is movably mounted on the mounting part 27 when the detergent box 30 is withdrawn or inserted.
- the automatic withdrawing unit 50 is provided under the mounting part 27.
- the automatic withdrawing unit 50 includes a second gear part 53 that interacts with a first gear part 38 provided on the detergent box 30. The automatic withdrawing unit 50 tends to push the detergent box in the withdrawal direction so that it can be easily withdraw when the locking unit 40 unlocks the detergent box 30.
- the first gear part 38 includes a rack gear along the bottom surface of the detergent box 30.
- the second gear part 53 includes a pinion gear 53 provided on the automatic withdrawing unit 50.
- the second gear part is biased to rotate in a direction that will case withdrawal of the detergent box 30.
- the first gear part 38 can be provided as a pinion gear
- the second gear part 53 can be provided as a rack gear.
- a pair of spaced apart rack gears 38, and the pinion gear 53 are formed on opposite sides of the detergent box and the dispenser.
- the mounting part 27 has a pair of slit holes 27A provided at positions corresponding to the pair of rack gears 38 provided on the bottom of the detergent box 30.
- the pinion gears 53 of the automatic withdrawing unit 50 pass through the pair of slit holes 27A, and are meshed with the rack gears 38.
- a shielding part 39 protrudes rearward from a rear part of the detergent box body 31. The shielding part 39 shields the pair of slit holes 27A to prevent water leakage through the slit holes 27A.
- the automatic withdrawing unit 50 includes a bracket 51 provided at a lower side of the mounting part 27.
- a rotary shaft 52 is mounted on the bracket 51.
- the pinion gears 53 are coupled to ends of the rotary shaft 52.
- a holder 54 is coupled to a circumference of the rotary shaft 52 and rotates together with the rotary shaft 52.
- An elastic member 55 is provided around the holder 54 and has one end thereof attached to the bracket 51. The elastic member provides a biasing force which tends to rotate the pinion gears 53 so that they cause the detergent box to be withdrawn.
- the bracket 51 can be installed under the dispenser housing 21 using various installation methods such as fusion, a hook, an adhesive, and a coupling bolt. However, a description will be made based on the assumption that it is installed using one or more coupling bolts.
- the bracket 51 has a receiving hole 51A for coupling the coupling bolt
- the dispenser housing 21 has a coupling hole or a coupling boss in a position corresponding to the coupling hole 51A.
- the rotary shaft 52 is rotatably supported by the bracket 51.
- the rotary shaft 52 may have a polygonal cross section, and connects at its ends with the pinion gears 53.
- the holder 54 includes a hollow shaft 54 with a hollow part 54A having the same cross sectional shape as the rotary shaft 52.
- the holder 54 is coupled to the rotary shaft 52 by fitting the rotary shaft 52 into the hollow part 54A such that the holder 54 rotates together with the rotary shaft 52.
- the elastic member 55 includes a coil spring 55 provided around the holder 54.
- the elastic member 55 has one end connected to a stopper 54B provided to the holder 54, and has its other end inserted into a catch hole 51B provided on the bracket 51.
- other types of elastic members could be used to provide a biasing force that tends to rotate the shaft 52 in a particular direction, and thus tends to push the detergent box in the withdrawal direction.
- a user would first input laundry inside the drum 5 through the laundry opening 8A, and then closes the laundry opening 8A by the door 11. After that, the user inputs powder detergent, and possibly bleach, and softener into the detergent box 30, and sets a desired washing cycle by manipulating the control panel 12.
- water and detergent are supplied into the tub 4 using the water supplying unit 13 and the detergent supplying unit 14.
- the water supplying unit 13 opens the water supply valve 13B, and supplies water into the tub 4 via the water supply hose 13A and the water supply bellows 13C.
- the detergent supplying unit 14 squirts the water introduced into the water supply hose 13A, into the first and second powder detergent retaining parts 31A and 31B or into the bleach retaining part 31C via the water supply hole 24B of the dispenser cover 22.
- the powder detergent and/or the bleach in the detergent box 30 will be washed out of the detergent box by the water squirted in from the water supply hole 24B.
- the mixed water and detergent and bleach would exit the bottom of the dispenser housing 21, and would be supplied into the tub 4 via the water supply bellows 13C connecting to the dispenser housing 21.
- the drum 5 is rotated using the driving unit. As the drum 5 rotates, the laundry is lifted up by the lifter 6 and falls down, thereby implementing laundry washing.
- the motor 7 Upon completion of a wash cycle, the motor 7 is stopped, and the wash water retained in the tub 4 is discharged outside using the water discharging unit. After that, water is again supplied into the tub 4 up to a predetermined water level using the water supplying unit 13, and the drum 5 is again rotated using the motor 7, thereby implementing laundry rinsing.
- the detergent supplying unit 14 may also supply water to the softener retaining part 31D of the detergent box 30. This would cause the softener to be dispensed from the softener retaining part 31D into the tub 4.
- the rinse water Upon completion of a laundry rinse cycle, the rinse water is discharged outside using the water discharging unit. When water discharge is executed in the rinse cycle, a dehydration cycle in which the drum 4 is rotated by the motor 5 at high speed is implemented, thereby removing the wash water from the laundry.
- a procedure for withdrawing or inserting the detergent box 30 so as to input detergent, bleach and/or softener into the detergent retaining parts 31A, 31B, 31C, and 31D will be described in more detail below.
- the detergent box 30 is withdrawn by slightly pushing the front panel 32 of the detergent box 30 inside the doorway hole part 12A of the control panel 12, and then removing an applied force from the front panel 32.
- the detergent box 30 is slightly pushed to the rear, as shown in FIG. 8B, the locking groove part 42 of the detergent box 30 slightly moves to the rear, and a locking protrusion 43 of a locking protrusion part 41 moves to an unlock position.
- the elastic member 55 of the automatic withdrawing unit 50 then induces rotation of the rotary shaft 52 in the withdrawal direction, thereby rotating the pinion gears 53 together with the rotary shaft 52.
- the rotation of the pinion gears 53 moves the rack gears 38 of the detergent box 30 to the front.
- the detergent box 30 is withdrawn from the doorway hole part 12A of the control panel 12 to the front.
- the catch jaw of the dispenser cover 22 catches the height control protrusion 36 of the detergent box cap 33, thereby stopping the withdrawal of the detergent box 30.
- the height control protrusion 36 and the catch jaw 26 automatically limit a maximum distance by which the detergent box 30 is withdrawn.
- the detergent box 30 is inserted by pushing the detergent box 30 into the dispenser 20 until the front panel 32 gets in contact with the doorway hole part 12A of the control panel 12.
- the pinion gears 53 which are meshed with the rack gear 38 of the detergent box 30, are reverse rotated along with the rotary shaft 52. This twists or compresses the elastic member 55.
- the locking protrusion 43 of the locking protrusion part 41 is inserted into the locking groove part 42 to the position shown in FIG. 8D. If the applied closing force is then removed, the locking protrusion 43 is caught by the locking groove part 42, and the detergent box 30 is held in the inserted position, as shown in FIG. 8A.
- the detergent box 30 is not only improved in use convenience but also a solution to a problem of incompletely withdrawing or inserting the detergent box 30 is provided.
- the detergent box 30 is automatically withdrawn or is inserted only by an action of pressing the detergent box 30 inside the doorway hole part 12A of the control panel 12.
- the detergent box 30 can be fully removed from the dispenser 20 by pressing downward on the height control protrusion 36 so that it will not be caught by the catch jaw 26. Thus, the detergent box 30 can be replaced and washed with simplicity and convenience.
- FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating a detergent box 30 and a dispenser housing 21 according to an alternate embodiment.
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an automatic withdrawing unit 150 of the device shown in FIG. 9.
- Like reference numerals denote like elements in FIGS. 9 and 10. The following description will concentrate on the differences in the alternate embodiment.
- the automatic withdrawing unit 150 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is different from the automatic withdrawing unit 50 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 in that it further includes a rotary damper 60 for limiting a withdrawal speed of the detergent box 30.
- the rotary damper 60 includes a rotary gear 61 mounted on the bracket 51, and meshed with the pinion gear 53.
- a flange 62 having a hole is provided at an outer side of the rotary damper 60, and is coupled and fixed to the bracket 51 by a coupling member 63.
- the rotary damper 60 can be also mounted on the bracket 51 by a hook, an adhesive, and fusion.
- the automatic withdrawing unit 150 having the rotary damper 60 limits the withdrawal speed and an insertion speed of the detergent box 30 using a damping action of the rotary damper 60. Therefore, the detergent box 30 is prevented from suddenly moving and thus is withdrawn or inserted slowly. Accordingly, damage and impact noise of the detergent box 30 happening due to sudden withdrawal and insertion of the detergent box 30 are prevented. The slow movement also helps to prevent detergent, bleach and softener from being spilled out of their containers in the detergent box.
- a washing machine as described above has an advantage in that when the locking unit unlocks the detergent box, the detergent box is easily withdrawn by the automatic withdrawing unit. Also, when the detergent box is withdrawn or inserted, the withdrawal distance and an insertion distance are set by the automatic withdrawing unit and the locking unit, thereby preventing incomplete withdrawal and insertion of the detergent box.
- any reference in this specification to "one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc. means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention.
- the appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
Abstract
Description
- This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to
Korean Patent Application No. 10-2006-0095819, filed on September 29, 2006 - The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a detergent box of a washing machine.
- In general, a washing machine refers to an apparatus for washing clothes and sheets (hereinafter, referred to as "laundry") via a wash, rinse, and dehydration process to remove dirt from the laundry using water, detergent, and a mechanical action. The washing machine typically includes a tub and drum that is rotatably provided therein and that holds wash water and laundry. A driving motor is provided at one side of the tub and drum. The washing machine activates a wash operation by power of the driving motor, and performs a laundry washing operation. The washing machine further includes a water supplying unit and a water discharging unit. A detergent supplying unit is often provided in the water supply system so that incoming water washes detergent in the unit into the washing bath.
- The detergent supplying unit may include a dispenser provided on the water supply unit; and a detergent box provided within the dispenser. The detergent box may be designed to be withdrawn from the dispenser, and be completely disengaged outside the washing machine.
- The related art washing machine described above has a drawback in that it may be inconvenient and complicated to use. Typically, the user must withdraw the detergent box from the dispenser, put detergent into the detergent box, and then insert the detergent box back into the dispenser. During these procedures, the detergent box may be incompletely inserted into or withdrawn from the dispenser due to a malfunction occurring when a user directly withdraws or inserts the detergent box.
- The embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements wherein:
- FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a drum type washing machine;
- FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a detergent supplying unit of the washing machine shown in FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating the detergent box and dispenser housing shown in FIG. 2;
- FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating the detergent box shown in FIG. 3;
- FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view illustrating the detergent box shown in FIG. 3;
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an automatic withdrawing unit of the detergent supplying unit shown in FIG. 3;
- FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the automatic withdrawing unit shown in FIG. 6;
- FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating an operation state of a locking unit of the detergent supplying unit shown in FIG. 3;
- FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating another embodiment of a detergent box and a dispenser housing; and
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an automatic withdrawing unit of the detergent supplying unit shown in FIG. 9.
- Referring to FIG. 1, the drum type washing machine 1 includes a cabinet 1 having a left surface, a right surface, and a rear surface. A
tub 4 is mounted inside thecabinet 2 by one ormore springs 3 and a damper (not shown). Adrum 5 is rotatably provided inside thetub 4. The drum holds laundry and has a plurality ofwater holes 5A for allowing passage of the wash water into and out of the tub. Alifter 6 is provided inside thedrum 5 to draw up the wash water and drop the drawn-up wash water at a predetermined height within thedrum 5. Adriving unit 7 is provided behind thetub 4 to apply a rotary force to thedrum 5. - A
cabinet cover 8 is provided in front of thecabinet 2, and has a laundry opening 8A at its center. Atop plate 9 and abase 10 are provided on an upper surface and a lower surface of thecabinet 2, respectively. Adoor 11 is rotatably mounted on thecabinet cover 8, and opens and closes the laundry opening 8A. Acontrol panel 12 is provided at an upper side of thecabinet cover 8, and displays and controls operation of the drum type washing machine 1. - A water discharging unit (not shown) is provided between the
base 10 and thetub 4, and discharges wash water from thetub 4. Awater supplying unit 13 includes awater supply hose 13A, awater supply valve 13B, and awater supply bellows 13C. Thewater supplying unit 13 is provided between thetop plate 9 and thetub 4, and supplies water into thetub 4. - As shown in more detail in FIGS. 2-5, a
detergent supplying unit 14 is provided on a water supply path of thewater supplying unit 13, and supplies detergent to thetub 4 together with water. Thedetergent supplying unit 14 connects between thewater supply hose 13A and thewater supply bellows 13C. Thedetergent supplying unit 14 is mounted on thecabinet 2 and thecabinet cover 8 such that thedetergent box 30 is withdrawn and inserted through adoorway hole part 12A provided at one side of thecontrol panel 12. - The
detergent supplying unit 14 includes a dispenser 20 connecting with thewater supply hose 13A and thewater supply bellows 13C. Adetergent box 30 inserted into the dispenser 20 and can be withdrawn frontward via the opening 20A of the dispenser 20 and thedoorway hole part 12A.Flange parts 37 are provided at both sides of the detergent box, and extend along a movement direction. Alocking unit 40 acts to lock or unlock thedetergent box 30 when it is inserted into the dispenser 20. An automatic withdrawingunit 50 moves thedetergent box 30 to the front within the dispenser 20 when thelocking unit 40 unlocks thedetergent box 30. - The dispenser 20 includes a
dispenser housing 21 provided to communicate with thedoorway hole part 12A of thecontrol panel 12. The dispenser 20 is open at a front side and an upper side. Adispenser cover 22 is mounted at the opened upper side, and haswater supply holes 24B for supplying water into thedetergent box 30. - The
dispenser housing 21 has awater discharge port 23 provided at a rear thereof which is connected with thewater supply bellows 13C such that water and detergent falling from thedetergent box 30 are supplied to thetub 4 through thewater supply bellows 13C. Thedispenser housing 21 hasstep parts 21A provided at both upper sides thereof. Theflange parts 37 of thedetergent box 30 are mounted on and slide along thestep parts 21A. Thestep parts 21A, together with thedispenser cover 22 provide slots in which theflange parts 37 move. - The
dispenser cover 22 includes abottom panel 24 mounted at the opened upper side of thedispenser housing 21 and atop panel 25 mounted on thebottom panel 24, and forming a flow path together with thebottom panel 24. Thebottom panel 24 has a plurality ofhose connecting parts 24A provided in rear thereof and connecting with the one or morewater supply hoses 13A. Thebottom panel 24 has a plurality ofwater supply holes 24B supplying water and provided in positions corresponding to detergent retaining parts of thedetergent box 30. Aflow path 24C is formed between thetop panel 25 and thebottom panel 24, and the flow paths guide water from thehose connecting parts 24A to thewater supply holes 24B. - The
detergent box 30 includes adetergent box body 31 inserted into a space between thedispenser housing 21 and thedispenser cover 22 such that it can be withdrawn frontward. The detergent box includes a plurality ofdetergent retaining parts front panel 32 is provided in front of thedetergent box body 31. Adetergent box cap 33 is mounted on thedetergent box body 31. - The
detergent box body 31 is of a box shape and is opened at an upper side and a rear side thereof. As mentioned above, theflange parts 37 are movably mounted on the steppedparts 21A of the dispenser housing. - The plurality of
detergent retaining parts detergent retaining parts detergent box body 31. These retaining parts are used to hold powder detergent used for washing and pre-washing. Ableach retaining part 31C and asoftener retaining part 31D are provided at inner rear sides of the first and second powderdetergent retaining parts - The first and second powder
detergent retaining parts dispenser housing 21. Thebleach retaining part 31C and thesoftener retaining part 31D are of box shapes that are also opened at upper sides to allow for the input of bleach and softener. Thebleach retaining part 31C and thesoftener retaining part 31D have siphonpipes 34 that protrude up from their bottoms to communicate with spaces below thebleach retaining part 31C and thesoftener retaining part 31D. - The
front panel 32 is provided in front of thedoorway hole part 12A in the same structure as thecontrol panel 12, and forms a front surface of the drum type washing machine 1 together with thecontrol panel 12 and thecabinet cover 8. Thedetergent box cap 33 is mounted on the upper side of thedetergent box body 31 to cover upper sides of thebleach retaining part 31C and thesoftener retaining part 31D. Thedetergent box cap 33 hasinput holes 33A for inputting the bleach and the softener, each provided correspondingly to thebleach retaining part 31C and thesoftener retaining part 31D. A siphoncap 35 capping the siphonpipe 34 protrudes downward from a bottom of thedetergent box cap 33 such that the input bleach and softener are discharged from thebleach retaining part 31C and thesoftener retaining part 31D due to a siphon phenomenon. - Referring to FIG. 2, the dispenser 20 includes a
catch jaw 26 protruding inward from a front and lower surface of thebottom panel 24. Thedetergent box 30 includes aheight control protrusion 36 protruding from an upper surface of thedetergent box cap 33 to be caught by thecatch jaw 26 when thedetergent box 30 is withdrawn. Theheight control protrusion 36 can be controlled in height to avoid interference from thecatch jaw 26. Thus, a withdrawal distance of thedetergent box 30 is set by thecatch jaw 26 and theheight control protrusion 36. If theheight control protrusion 36 is lowered, it can avoid being caught by thecatch jaw 26 and thus, thedetergent box 30 can be completely disengaged from the dispenser 20. - Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, the locking
unit 40 is provided at the dispenser 20 and thedetergent box 30 such that it locks thedetergent box 30 when thedetergent box 30 is inserted into the dispenser 20, and unlocks thedetergent box 30 when thedetergent box 30 moves into the dispenser 20 by a predetermined distance. The lockingunit 40 includes a lockingprotrusion part 41 that is rotatably mounted at one side of a bottom surface of thedispenser housing 21. A lockinggroove part 42 is provided on the facing lower surface of thedetergent box body 31 such that the lockingprotrusion part 41 is caught and fixed when the detergent box is being inserted, and is released when the detergent box is again moved in an insertion direction. - The locking
protrusion part 41 is provided on the bottom surface of thedispenser housing 21 such that it can be rotated. The lockingprotrusion part 41 has a lockingprotrusion 43 that protrudes upward and that is inserted into and removed from the lockinggroove part 42. The lockinggroove part 42 is integrally provided on the lower surface of thedetergent box body 31. Thus, the lockinggroove part 42 moves in the front-rear direction together with thedetergent box body 31 when thedetergent box 30 is withdrawn or inserted. - As shown in FIG. 8, the locking
groove part 42 is of a structure in which the lockingprotrusion 43 is caught when thedetergent box 30 moves rearward and is being inserted into the washing machine. The lockingprotrusion 43 is released from a catch state in the lockinggroove part 42 when thedetergent box 30 is again pressed slightly rearward, thereby allowing the detergent box to be pulled out. - FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate how the locking
protrusion 43 and the lockinggroove part 42 interact to control the movement of the detergent box. Note, for ease of illustration, the lockingprotrusion 43 is illustrated at various positions within the locking groove part. In actuality, the locking protrusion is fixed and the locking groove part, which is part of the detergent box, moves with respect to the locking protrusion. - FIG. 8A shows a state, where the detergent box is fully inserted into the washing machine. The locking protrusion is caught in a depression in the locking groove part. As will be explained, the detergent box is biased towards the opened position. Thus, the locking protrusion being caught in the depression of the locking groove part is what holds the detergent box in the washing machine.
- When the detergent box is pushed slightly into the washing machine, as shown in FIG. 8B, the protrusion is freed from the depression, and the detergent box can be moved frontward to allow detergent, bleach and softener to be inserted into the detergent box. FIG. 8C shows the progress of the locking groove part relative to the protrusion as the detergent box is pushed all the way into the machine. When the user releases the detergent box, after pushing it all the way in, the biasing mechanism causes the detergent box to move slightly out, which results in the protrusion being caught once again in the depression, as shown in FIG. 8D.
- Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, a mounting
part 27 stepwise protrudes upward from a front and lower part of thedispenser housing 21 such that thedetergent box body 31 is movably mounted on the mountingpart 27 when thedetergent box 30 is withdrawn or inserted. The automatic withdrawingunit 50 is provided under the mountingpart 27. The automatic withdrawingunit 50 includes asecond gear part 53 that interacts with afirst gear part 38 provided on thedetergent box 30. The automatic withdrawingunit 50 tends to push the detergent box in the withdrawal direction so that it can be easily withdraw when the lockingunit 40 unlocks thedetergent box 30. - The
first gear part 38 includes a rack gear along the bottom surface of thedetergent box 30. Thesecond gear part 53 includes apinion gear 53 provided on the automatic withdrawingunit 50. The second gear part is biased to rotate in a direction that will case withdrawal of thedetergent box 30. However, in alternate embodiments, thefirst gear part 38 can be provided as a pinion gear, and thesecond gear part 53 can be provided as a rack gear. In the embodiment described below, a pair of spaced apart rack gears 38, and thepinion gear 53 are formed on opposite sides of the detergent box and the dispenser. - The mounting
part 27 has a pair ofslit holes 27A provided at positions corresponding to the pair of rack gears 38 provided on the bottom of thedetergent box 30. The pinion gears 53 of the automatic withdrawingunit 50 pass through the pair of slit holes 27A, and are meshed with the rack gears 38. A shieldingpart 39 protrudes rearward from a rear part of thedetergent box body 31. The shieldingpart 39 shields the pair ofslit holes 27A to prevent water leakage through the slit holes 27A. - Referring to FIGS. 3, 6, and 7, the automatic withdrawing
unit 50 includes abracket 51 provided at a lower side of the mountingpart 27. Arotary shaft 52 is mounted on thebracket 51. The pinion gears 53 are coupled to ends of therotary shaft 52. Aholder 54 is coupled to a circumference of therotary shaft 52 and rotates together with therotary shaft 52. Anelastic member 55 is provided around theholder 54 and has one end thereof attached to thebracket 51. The elastic member provides a biasing force which tends to rotate the pinion gears 53 so that they cause the detergent box to be withdrawn. - The
bracket 51 can be installed under thedispenser housing 21 using various installation methods such as fusion, a hook, an adhesive, and a coupling bolt. However, a description will be made based on the assumption that it is installed using one or more coupling bolts. Thus, thebracket 51 has a receivinghole 51A for coupling the coupling bolt, and thedispenser housing 21 has a coupling hole or a coupling boss in a position corresponding to thecoupling hole 51A. - The
rotary shaft 52 is rotatably supported by thebracket 51. Therotary shaft 52 may have a polygonal cross section, and connects at its ends with the pinion gears 53. Theholder 54 includes ahollow shaft 54 with ahollow part 54A having the same cross sectional shape as therotary shaft 52. Theholder 54 is coupled to therotary shaft 52 by fitting therotary shaft 52 into thehollow part 54A such that theholder 54 rotates together with therotary shaft 52. - In this embodiment, the
elastic member 55 includes acoil spring 55 provided around theholder 54. Theelastic member 55 has one end connected to astopper 54B provided to theholder 54, and has its other end inserted into acatch hole 51B provided on thebracket 51. In other embodiments, other types of elastic members could be used to provide a biasing force that tends to rotate theshaft 52 in a particular direction, and thus tends to push the detergent box in the withdrawal direction. - A user would first input laundry inside the
drum 5 through thelaundry opening 8A, and then closes thelaundry opening 8A by thedoor 11. After that, the user inputs powder detergent, and possibly bleach, and softener into thedetergent box 30, and sets a desired washing cycle by manipulating thecontrol panel 12. - Upon activation, water and detergent are supplied into the
tub 4 using thewater supplying unit 13 and thedetergent supplying unit 14. In detail, thewater supplying unit 13 opens thewater supply valve 13B, and supplies water into thetub 4 via thewater supply hose 13A and the water supply bellows 13C. Thedetergent supplying unit 14 squirts the water introduced into thewater supply hose 13A, into the first and second powderdetergent retaining parts bleach retaining part 31C via thewater supply hole 24B of thedispenser cover 22. At this time, the powder detergent and/or the bleach in thedetergent box 30 will be washed out of the detergent box by the water squirted in from thewater supply hole 24B. The mixed water and detergent and bleach would exit the bottom of thedispenser housing 21, and would be supplied into thetub 4 via the water supply bellows 13C connecting to thedispenser housing 21. Once the water, the powder detergent, and the bleach are in thetub 4, thedrum 5 is rotated using the driving unit. As thedrum 5 rotates, the laundry is lifted up by thelifter 6 and falls down, thereby implementing laundry washing. - Upon completion of a wash cycle, the
motor 7 is stopped, and the wash water retained in thetub 4 is discharged outside using the water discharging unit. After that, water is again supplied into thetub 4 up to a predetermined water level using thewater supplying unit 13, and thedrum 5 is again rotated using themotor 7, thereby implementing laundry rinsing. At this time, thedetergent supplying unit 14 may also supply water to thesoftener retaining part 31D of thedetergent box 30. This would cause the softener to be dispensed from thesoftener retaining part 31D into thetub 4. Upon completion of a laundry rinse cycle, the rinse water is discharged outside using the water discharging unit. When water discharge is executed in the rinse cycle, a dehydration cycle in which thedrum 4 is rotated by themotor 5 at high speed is implemented, thereby removing the wash water from the laundry. - A procedure for withdrawing or inserting the
detergent box 30 so as to input detergent, bleach and/or softener into thedetergent retaining parts - As explained above, the
detergent box 30 is withdrawn by slightly pushing thefront panel 32 of thedetergent box 30 inside thedoorway hole part 12A of thecontrol panel 12, and then removing an applied force from thefront panel 32. When thedetergent box 30 is slightly pushed to the rear, as shown in FIG. 8B, the lockinggroove part 42 of thedetergent box 30 slightly moves to the rear, and a lockingprotrusion 43 of a lockingprotrusion part 41 moves to an unlock position. - The
elastic member 55 of the automatic withdrawingunit 50 then induces rotation of therotary shaft 52 in the withdrawal direction, thereby rotating the pinion gears 53 together with therotary shaft 52. The rotation of the pinion gears 53 moves the rack gears 38 of thedetergent box 30 to the front. As the rack gears 38 move, thedetergent box 30 is withdrawn from thedoorway hole part 12A of thecontrol panel 12 to the front. - When the
detergent box 30 is withdrawn frontward by a predetermined distance, the catch jaw of the dispenser cover 22 catches theheight control protrusion 36 of thedetergent box cap 33, thereby stopping the withdrawal of thedetergent box 30. In other words, theheight control protrusion 36 and thecatch jaw 26 automatically limit a maximum distance by which thedetergent box 30 is withdrawn. With thedetergent box 30 withdrawn outside the dispenser 20, powder detergent can be put into each of the first and second powderdetergent retaining parts bleach retaining part 31C, and softener can be put into thesoftener retaining part 31D. A withdrawal state of thedetergent box 30 is shown in FIG. 4. - The
detergent box 30 is inserted by pushing thedetergent box 30 into the dispenser 20 until thefront panel 32 gets in contact with thedoorway hole part 12A of thecontrol panel 12. As thedetergent box 30 is inserted into the dispenser 20, the pinion gears 53, which are meshed with therack gear 38 of thedetergent box 30, are reverse rotated along with therotary shaft 52. This twists or compresses theelastic member 55. - When the
detergent box 30 is fully inserted, the lockingprotrusion 43 of the lockingprotrusion part 41 is inserted into the lockinggroove part 42 to the position shown in FIG. 8D. If the applied closing force is then removed, the lockingprotrusion 43 is caught by the lockinggroove part 42, and thedetergent box 30 is held in the inserted position, as shown in FIG. 8A. - Accordingly, the
detergent box 30 is not only improved in use convenience but also a solution to a problem of incompletely withdrawing or inserting thedetergent box 30 is provided. Thedetergent box 30 is automatically withdrawn or is inserted only by an action of pressing thedetergent box 30 inside thedoorway hole part 12A of thecontrol panel 12. - The
detergent box 30 can be fully removed from the dispenser 20 by pressing downward on theheight control protrusion 36 so that it will not be caught by thecatch jaw 26. Thus, thedetergent box 30 can be replaced and washed with simplicity and convenience. - FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating a
detergent box 30 and adispenser housing 21 according to an alternate embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an automatic withdrawingunit 150 of the device shown in FIG. 9. Like reference numerals denote like elements in FIGS. 9 and 10. The following description will concentrate on the differences in the alternate embodiment. - The automatic withdrawing
unit 150 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is different from the automatic withdrawingunit 50 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 in that it further includes arotary damper 60 for limiting a withdrawal speed of thedetergent box 30. Therotary damper 60 includes arotary gear 61 mounted on thebracket 51, and meshed with thepinion gear 53. Aflange 62 having a hole is provided at an outer side of therotary damper 60, and is coupled and fixed to thebracket 51 by a coupling member 63. However, therotary damper 60 can be also mounted on thebracket 51 by a hook, an adhesive, and fusion. - The automatic withdrawing
unit 150 having therotary damper 60, limits the withdrawal speed and an insertion speed of thedetergent box 30 using a damping action of therotary damper 60. Therefore, thedetergent box 30 is prevented from suddenly moving and thus is withdrawn or inserted slowly. Accordingly, damage and impact noise of thedetergent box 30 happening due to sudden withdrawal and insertion of thedetergent box 30 are prevented. The slow movement also helps to prevent detergent, bleach and softener from being spilled out of their containers in the detergent box. - A washing machine as described above has an advantage in that when the locking unit unlocks the detergent box, the detergent box is easily withdrawn by the automatic withdrawing unit. Also, when the detergent box is withdrawn or inserted, the withdrawal distance and an insertion distance are set by the automatic withdrawing unit and the locking unit, thereby preventing incomplete withdrawal and insertion of the detergent box.
- Any reference in this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "example embodiment," etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.
- Although a number of illustrative embodiments have been described, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combinations which would fall within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Claims (13)
- A washing machine (1), comprising:a dispenser (20) that dispenses washing aids into a tub (4) of the washing machine (1);a detergent box (30) that is movably mounted in the dispenser (20), wherein the detergent box (30) can be withdrawn from the dispenser (20) to an open position at which washing aids can be placed in the detergent box (30);a locking unit (40) that operates to lock the detergent box (30) in a closed position within the dispenser (20); andan automatic withdrawing unit (50; 150) that biases the detergent box (30) to the open position.
- The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the automatic withdrawing unit (50; 150) includes a first gear part (38) that is formed on the detergent box (30), and a second gear part (53) that is formed on the dispenser (20), and wherein the first gear part (38) interacts with the second gear part (53) to move the detergent box (30) to the open position.
- The washing machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein one of the first and second gear parts comprises a rack gear (38), and wherein the other of the first and second gear parts comprises a pinion gear (53).
- The washing machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the automatic withdrawing unit (50; 150) further comprises an elastic member (55) that biases the pinion gear (53) to rotate in a direction that causes the detergent box (30) to move to the open position.
- The washing machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the pinion gear (53) is mounted on a rotational shaft (52), and wherein a first end of the elastic member (55) is coupled to the rotational shaft (52).
- The washing machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the automatic withdrawing unit (50; 150) further comprises a frame (51), wherein the rotational shaft (52) is mounted on the frame, and wherein a second end of the elastic member (55) is coupled to the frame.
- The washing machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the frame (51) is coupled to the dispenser (20), and wherein the rack gear (38) is formed on the detergent box (30).
- The washing machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein a mounting part (27) is formed on a front lower portion of the dispenser (20), wherein at least one slit (27A) is formed in the mounting part (27), and wherein the frame (51) and the pinion gear (53) are mounted under the mounting part (27) such that the slit (27A) allows the pinion gear (53) to meshes with the rack gear (38).
- The washing machine as claimed in one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the first gear part comprises two rack gears (38) mounted on opposite sides of the detergent box (30), and wherein the second gear part comprises two pinion gears (53) mounted on the dispenser (20) such that each pinion gear meshes with one of the rack gears.
- The washing machine as claimed in one of claims 2 to 8, further comprising a damper (60) that dampens movements of at least one of the first and second gear parts.
- The washing machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein at least one of the first and second gear parts comprises a pinion gear (53), and wherein the damper (60) dampens rotational movement of the pinion gear (53).
- The washing machine as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a stopper mechanism (26, 36) for limiting withdrawal of the detergent box (30) from the dispenser (20) such that the detergent box (30) is stopped at the open position.
- The washing machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein the stopper mechanism comprises:a catch portion (26) formed on the dispenser (20); anda protrusion (36) on the detergent box (30), wherein the protrusion (36) is blocked from further movement in the withdrawal direction by the catch member (26) when the detergent box (30) has reached the open position.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR1020060095819A KR20080030139A (en) | 2006-09-29 | 2006-09-29 | Washing machine |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1905881A2 true EP1905881A2 (en) | 2008-04-02 |
EP1905881A3 EP1905881A3 (en) | 2011-03-23 |
Family
ID=38983395
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP07019064A Withdrawn EP1905881A3 (en) | 2006-09-29 | 2007-09-27 | Washing machine |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20080078211A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1905881A3 (en) |
KR (1) | KR20080030139A (en) |
CN (1) | CN101153449B (en) |
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EP3882391A1 (en) * | 2020-03-19 | 2021-09-22 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | Handle assembly, detergent box, and laundry equipment |
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US10077526B2 (en) * | 2016-09-13 | 2018-09-18 | Whirlpool Corporation | Laundry treating appliance and dispenser |
JP6934590B2 (en) * | 2016-12-27 | 2021-09-15 | パナソニックIpマネジメント株式会社 | Washing machine |
CN106637835B (en) * | 2017-02-20 | 2019-08-23 | 无锡小天鹅电器有限公司 | Delivery device for washing machine and the washing machine with it |
WO2018192459A1 (en) | 2017-04-17 | 2018-10-25 | 青岛海尔滚筒洗衣机有限公司 | Detergent additive box and mounting structure thereof, and distribution box |
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US5675994A (en) * | 1995-06-14 | 1997-10-14 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Detergent dissolution device of a clothes washing machine |
EP1724387A1 (en) * | 2005-05-17 | 2006-11-22 | ITW Industrial Components S.r.l. | Improved device for automatic extraction of a drawer, in particular a supply drawer for a household applicance such as washing machine |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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EP2738298A3 (en) * | 2012-11-20 | 2014-06-11 | PAS Deutschland GmbH | Detergent drawer |
US9499932B2 (en) | 2012-11-20 | 2016-11-22 | Pas Deutschland Gmbh | Detergent drawer |
CN109402965A (en) * | 2017-08-18 | 2019-03-01 | 青岛海尔滚筒洗衣机有限公司 | A kind of detergent additive box and washing machine |
EP3715524A1 (en) * | 2019-03-28 | 2020-09-30 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | Washing machine with drawer-type charging device |
EP3882391A1 (en) * | 2020-03-19 | 2021-09-22 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | Handle assembly, detergent box, and laundry equipment |
EP3988705A1 (en) * | 2020-10-21 | 2022-04-27 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | Detergent box assembly and washing device including detergent box assembly |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN101153449B (en) | 2012-09-12 |
CN101153449A (en) | 2008-04-02 |
EP1905881A3 (en) | 2011-03-23 |
US20080078211A1 (en) | 2008-04-03 |
KR20080030139A (en) | 2008-04-04 |
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